Title:

Understanding the use of kinetic façade for efficient shading in a warm climate

Abstract:

The term ‘Kinetic’ is an adjective that refers to everything produced by the movement. The term
architecture is a noun that refers to the design or style of a building/buildings (Hornby,2010). When
combined, it relates to the design of buildings that are produced by any movement. The building
components adapt to changes through the use of kinetics in reversible, deformable, incremental, and/or
mobile modes.

The building envelope is one of the most critical design parameters for determining how the indoor
physical environment relates to thermal comfort, visual comfort, and even occupants’ working
productivity. A kinetic façade can be used to manage light, air, energy, and also information. It can act
to reduce the solar gain as well as allowing the passage of fresh air into the building, helping to alter
the interior environment. The moving elements of the façade can be programmed to respond to climatic
or other environmental factors, time, levels and type of occupancy, and so on to
improve performance and efficiency.
Conventional shading systems at times block the minimum daylight required, darkening the interior and
resulting in need of artificial lighting. With the use of kinetic systems, Light would be allowed to
penetrate the structure and resulting in energy saving. (Koster Helmut, 2004)

However, shading systems mounted on the outside of the buildings are exposed to external wind loads
and weathering. Therefore special consideration must be given to the material used and the structure
built to support the skin.

Case study:

A notable and acclaimed example of external adaptive sun-shading is the Al-Bahr Tower in Abu
Dhabi.The 29-story building presents an adaptive folding shading system based on ridged link
mechanisms inspired to the traditional mashrabiya2, reinterpreted by means of three-sided umbrellas of
translucent PTFE fabric. Linear actuators, regulated by a pre-programmed sequence that sends different
inputs during the day, activate the elements allowing five different operative configurations, from
completely open to closed. According to the design estimates, the system should reduce cooling loads
by as much as 25%

Vinay Goyal | UMEA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE – UMA 4

 Keyword:

Kinetic ˑ Façade ˑ Energy Efficiency ˑ Shading ˑ Lighting ˑ Cooling ˑ Solar Gain ˑ

Methodology:
SELECTION OF TOPIC

BACKGROUND STUDY

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

LITERATURE REVIEW
theoretical framework, Existing
Standards & research.

CASE STUDIES
Selection of case studies based on
parameters and objectives.

CRITICAL ESSAY
References:

1. Koster Helmut. Dynamic daylighting architecture: Basics, systems, projects. Berlin: Birkhauser 2004
2. Hornby. Weheier (ed.) Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.7th ed.Oxford: Oxford University Press.
2010
3. Marta Barozzi, Julian Lienhard, Alessandra Zanelli, and Carol Monticelli. The sustainability of adaptive
envelopes: developments of kinetic architecture. Milano: Procedia Engineering. 155. 2016. 275 – 284
4. Nelly Ramzy and Hatem Fayed. Kinetic systems in architecture: New approach for environmental
control systems and context-sensitive buildings. Sustainable Cities and Society. 1. 2011. 170– 177

Vinay Goyal | UMEA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE – UMA 4